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Japanese to English translations [Non-PRO]
Games / Video Games / Gaming / Casino / Fighting game | | Japanese term or phrase: 父もほぞを噛もうというもの | My question is, what does this line mean? 父もほぞを噛もうというもの.
I figured the context of this phrase might not help much due to the "nature" of the character that says it. So I would like to know if there is more than one use for this phrase depending on the context. But even then, I'm sure this part ほぞを噛む refers to the composed expression, which according to Rikaichan means "to regret bitterly; to be very sorry (for)". That's all, thanks in advance. |
| | | Even my (the) father would cry over spilt milk. | Explanation:
"Cry over spilt milk" is common English cliche that fits right in this Japanese sentence.
"Hozo wo kamu" is from old classic Chinese book as explained in http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?p=臍をかむ&stype=0&dtype=0 and quoted below:
臍(ほぞ)を噬(か)・む
補説〕 左氏伝（荘公六年）
後悔する。及ばないことを悔やむ。
Note: "kamu" is express in different Kanji because that is more authentic.
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Note added at 12 hrs (2012-01-30 14:05:24 GMT)
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I place "the" in ( ) as the sentence does not specify whether whose father it was. You would use either one according to the context.
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Note added at 12 hrs (2012-01-30 14:06:27 GMT)
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Of course, point here is the fater is regretting.
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Note added at 12 hrs (2012-01-30 14:08:09 GMT)
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Of course the sentece is "the father is regretting". That what this English cliche is all about. |
| Selected response from:
 humbird
United States
Local time: 17:26
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| Changes made by editors |
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| Jan 31 - Changes made by humbird: | | Edited KOG entry | humbird's old entry - "父もほぞを噛もうというもの" => "Even my (the) father would cry over spilt milk." | | Jan 31 - Changes made by humbird: | | Created KOG entry | KudoZ term => KOG term |
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The translation workplace 
